ESL vs FLASHPOINT: the war told through tweets

Telling tales of esports, one word at a time, six years and counting

February 19th, 2020

The battle between CS:GO’s upcoming leagues has been surprisingly overexposed on Twitter, providing quite the first draft of history even before either side fired their first shot on the servers. A significant part of this is Thorin’s involvement with the FLASHPOINT project as a creative director, as the omnipresent esports historian hasn’t pulled any punches on the platform, driving the discussion on an almost daily basis. What if you consumed nothing but the 288-character back-and-forth between the actors in this drama? For better or for worse, this is the impression you would have gotten:

Monday, December 16, 2018

First details of ‘B Site’ revealed by DeKay

New report from @dekay!

First details regarding a new North American CS:GO league reportedly set to launch in Marchhttps://t.co/RvMJdJo1aK
— DBLTAP (@DBLTAPesports) December 16, 2019

This isnt true at all btw. The Astralis team hasnt decided anything yet about what league they will participate in.

Could be ESL, could be B-site. NOTHING is decided for us. https://t.co/AQOW5NYcqn
— Lukas Rossander (@gla1ve_csgo) December 16, 2019

Friday, January 10, 2019

ESL requests in-person meeting with prominent CS:GO orgs, seeks 4-year deals

Sources: ESL to Meet With Teams In-Person in Attempt to Convince Them to Sign with ESL Pro Leaguehttps://t.co/fFmomGOPcG
— DeKay (@dekay) January 10, 2020

Sources: ESL Seeking 4-Year ESL Pro League Agreements; Terms Allegedly Remain the Same Despite Valve Rulinghttps://t.co/jOPNCIJeXG
— DeKay (@dekay) January 10, 2020

Tuesday, January 14

Details of the LANXESS Agreement term sheet leaked by DeKay

ESL Pro League Teams to Forfeit Revenue Share if They Decline Too Many Invitations to ESL Events, Documents Revealhttps://t.co/zHX7E00KQR
— DeKay (@dekay) January 14, 2020

Thursday, January 16

ESL, DreamHack, and CSPPA sign framework agreement for ESL Pro Tour

In cooperation with @DreamHack and the @CSPPAgg, we've reached a framework agreement that will shape the participation structure for professional CS:GO players in the #ESLProTour.

Find out more about this historic partnership at https://t.co/TW6MTKuTiK pic.twitter.com/CHD5JTHkDX
— ESL Counter-Strike (@ESLCS) January 16, 2020

https://t.co/F2qqd3QaFO
— Daniel Paulus (@Singing_Manager) January 16, 2020

Friday, January 17

Reporting reveals the end of ECS

Breaking from @dekay:

FACEIT will produce the new B Site league, which will also mark the end of ECS

Story: https://t.co/tIKQrh3rrY
— DBLTAP (@DBLTAPesports) January 17, 2020

Saturday, January 18

Thorin announces Creative Director role in ‘B Site’

Let it be known that I am working with the project code-named "B site" both as on camera talent and as the Creative Director.

More on that tomorrow.
— Thorin (@Thorin) January 18, 2020

Monday, January 20

HLTV founder comments on ESL’s ranking; Richard Lewis corroborates reporting on the LANXESS agreement

Latest for Dexerto: Obtained early draft of the ESL Pro League agreement available in its entirety. Changes to be made following meeting with potential member teams between 22nd-24th January. https://t.co/lVvqRdA9Kx
— Richard Lewis (@RLewisReports) January 20, 2020

What to think of ESL when they have this kind of stuff in their agreement with teams...

Even if they don't enforce it or change their mind, someone there thought it was a good idea in the first place pic.twitter.com/FrAgYmjjaK
— Petar Milovanovic (@Tgwri1s) January 20, 2020

Wednesday, January 22

Cloud9 and Astralis representatives go on record about their thought process about the leagues

Cloud9 and Astralis Speak to DeKay About CS:GO Leagues and Future Ahead of ESL Pro League Summithttps://t.co/eqoG2WOsd6
— DeKay (@dekay) January 22, 2020

"B site" will have $25mill in investment from the partner teams. Where does ESL get their equivalent pot of cash? If you say sponsors or merchandising then you are lost without a map.

I hope PPV components can arrive soon so TOs like ESL survive as giants. https://t.co/p7ktcgOFuQ
— Thorin (@Thorin) January 23, 2020

Thursday, January 23

‘B Site’ announces its talent lineup; C9 President Dan Fiden makes appearance on By The Numbers; DeKay reports on 24-team Pro League format

Glad to be returning full-time to CS with the best talent in the world at my side. This league is going to be straight fire. More announcements coming soon. #CSGO #esportslife https://t.co/83V8XVQDdm
— Semmler (@OnFireSemmler) January 23, 2020

GG it's already over. Have fun with Pimp on the desk ESL lmao
— King K. Rool (@KingKRoolG) January 23, 2020

In about 25 minutes I'll be doing a By The Numbers special with @Thooorin and @Cloud9 President @dfiden to talk about some of the particulars of the "B-site" project, as well as financial choices facing CS:GO teams in 2020.

Watch here: https://t.co/ABXG0LXQPY
— Richard Lewis (@RLewisReports) January 23, 2020

B Site will have the ability to fine teams $100k per month if they fall out of the Top 20 ranking. No clarity on what ranking they are using.

Said by Thorin and Dan Fiden on the BTN liveshow, just now.
— find a new slant (@RyanAtRBM) January 23, 2020

As you can tell from the replies, many teams were not aware of this change being possible.

At least ~20 teams who once had Pro League spots will not have them anymore by the time all is said and done.

Many of which have direct clauses relating to EPL in their contracts.
— DeKay (@dekay) January 23, 2020

Friday, January 24

ESL announces first details of revamped ESL Pro League amid community backlash

You guys are just incredible... How many wrong decisions you guys want to take? Ohh and Any chances you can help us get paid for season 9 americas played 9 months ago? Thankssssssss
— Juanes Valencia 🇨🇴 (@sickLyCS) January 24, 2020

.@dekay clarifies any confusion that might have stemmed from ESL's release earlier today:

No prospective "member teams" signed with ESL Pro League ahead of the announcement:https://t.co/0kmDu2St7U
— DBLTAP (@DBLTAPesports) January 24, 2020

LOL https://t.co/ebMqWsC2sS
— Thorin (@Thorin) January 24, 2020

Saturday, January 25

Amid the continuing fallout, Thorin declares he won’t work with ESL in the future and announces open qualifiers for ‘Rush B’; Richard Lewis floats possible By The Numbers appearances by ESL representatives

Just imagine YOU do qualifiers for spot in TO league then they cancel and send your team home, what a pathetic organizers
— Sasha (@s1mpleO) January 25, 2020

Fun fact:
In 2016 HellRaisers lost their spot in FACEIT League exactly the same way we are loosing ESL spot right now. They just told us "ECS League is completely different tournament" and kept 8/10 teams with just inviting some big names wich had troubles getting there.
— ANGE1YL (@OfficialANGE1) January 25, 2020

In light of the unethical and unprofessional behaviour of ESL over their EPL dealings I won't be working with their org under any circumstances until the people responsible are named and fired or leave the company.

That goes for majors, Cologne and content.
— Thorin (@Thorin) January 25, 2020

"B site" plans already included an online worldwide qualifier, but in light of the disgraceful betrayal by ESL of players and teams who had qualified for/had EPL slots until today, we're expanding our system and including additional money for teams who qualify. pic.twitter.com/BhNTEejVjv
— Thorin (@Thorin) January 25, 2020

What I am about to say might cause the @CSPPAgg to ask me to no longer advise them, but so be it.

While it is awesome that the PA exists in the first place, everyone must understand that the power and influence it actually has is limited as it always is in the beginning of a PA.
— Scott Smith (@SirScoots) January 25, 2020

If the CSPPA ppl get mad at me but not ESL that's telling. Which entity is safer to criticise and attack? Which of us is fucking over players you guys represent?

I want you to get mad and then channel that towards whoever deserves your ire. Choose wisely.
— Thorin (@Thorin) January 25, 2020

It's also called "ESL ProLeague", for fuck's sake. The idea you can be qualified and then told "actually, I prefer this guy in the league" sounds like fake professional wrestling.
— Thorin (@Thorin) January 25, 2020

Currently in talks with representatives from ESL to come on an episode of By The Numbers and present their side of the discussion around the changes to the ESL Pro League and the "LANXESS Agreement." Obviously as we discussed on the last episode Duncan will sit that one out.
— Richard Lewis (@RLewisReports) January 25, 2020

Monday, January 27

ESL’s Senior VP of Product issues an apology; CSPPA weighs in on the controversy

In the end we will not keep the slot and have a hard monetary loss. Your words are nice, but no solution for the problems we have to face, because of your decission and who says, that we dont get kicked again, if we qualify. You kicking teams, which allready qualified through MDL https://t.co/WZji4SbMjh
— Daniel Paulus (@Singing_Manager) January 27, 2020

Statement from @CSPPAgg: https://t.co/YhBXcRvXpJ
(Thread)
— Counter-Strike Professional Players' Association (@CSPPAgg) January 27, 2020

I appreciate that based on initial reports on the teams that are locked in to compete in "B site" it's not a super exciting competitive prospect yet. There's a reason teams haven't signed with EPL yet, though. That battle is far from over.
— Thorin (@Thorin) January 27, 2020

Tuesday, January 28

Astralis floats Pro League participation; Semmler makes appearance on HLTV Confirmed

We're LIVE with a league-special episode of HLTV Confirmed featuring @OnFireSemmler, who is involved with the upcoming BLAST Premier and "B Site".@SPUNJ @StrikerHLTVorg @Professeur_CS

📺 https://t.co/0sm5EO5xyu pic.twitter.com/uUdFc9VcM8
— HLTV.org (@HLTVorg) January 28, 2020

Expanded: ESL made very significant concessions both short- and long-term to the benefits of the players, the teams and the ecosystem at-large. We are expecting the agreement with ESL and 12 other teams to conclude successfully.
— Nikolaj Nyholm (@nikolaj) January 28, 2020

This new trend of announcing stuff that hasn't even been confirmed to happen shit is super wack. Especially when it's done in bad faith as so many of the ones in the last week have been.
— Thorin (@Thorin) January 28, 2020

Once all is said and done I may have some very interesting information to reveal about the way some of these teams have behaved.
— Thorin (@Thorin) January 28, 2020

Friday, January 31

ESL announces special qualifying process for Pro League Season 12; ESL representatives make By The Numbers appearance

ESL announces special qualifying process for Pro League Season 12 https://t.co/zuahrgEVoM
— HLTV.org (@HLTVorg) January 31, 2020

OK, special By The Numbers incoming. ESL go on the record about the new Pro League and LANXESS agreement details. With @mbCARMAC and @theflyingdj . We'll be live in a few minutes.https://t.co/ABXG0MfrHw
— Richard Lewis (@RLewisReports) January 31, 2020

Sunday, February 2

‘Rush B’ qualifiers overlap with the Rio Minors’, confusion emerges on Twitter

Don't let this distract you from the fact that b-site put their qualifiers the same days as the major qualifiers
— Jordan Montemurro (@Zellsis) February 2, 2020

Monday, February 3

ESL’s CARMAC appears on HLTV Confirmed

We're going LIVE with @HLTVconfirmed ep. 9!

📺 https://t.co/aYXlpums9W

Come join us as we talk to ESL's VP of Pro Gaming @mbCARMAC about the drastic changes to ESL Pro League and details such as the "Member teams."@SPUNJ @Professeur_CS @StrikerHLTVorg pic.twitter.com/UQl7HR8hpm
— HLTV.org (@HLTVorg) February 3, 2020

Tuesday, February 4

‘B Site’ qualifiers rescheduled as Thorin apologizes for erroneous comments about the matter

Where are B-Site qualifiers in this global coordination document? Ours have been in there for a long time: pic.twitter.com/lelH0QuoYq
— Ulrich Schulze (@theflyingdj) February 4, 2020

I was wrong about this. Apologies to @ESLCS for any misunderstanding caused as a result. https://t.co/FQdGH0BZtN
— Thorin (@Thorin) February 4, 2020

Wednesday, February 5

FLASHPOINT’s official reveal

It’s time to reveal the next generation of CS:GO competition. pic.twitter.com/UBifU8Ilwu
— FLASHPOINT (@FLASHPOINT) February 5, 2020

The first great CS:GO core will compete in what will one day be the greatest CS:GO league. https://t.co/GBvK5BptsQ
— Thorin (@Thorin) February 6, 2020

This is really important to me.

I flew to London today to announce the @FLASHPOINT format that I designed

I am so fucking excited to show everyone what @Thorin and I dreamed up for CSGO

I hope you love it toohttps://t.co/n5VXA8Daxo
— MonteCristo (@MonteCristo) February 6, 2020

Thursday, February 6

Thorin interviewed by GGRecon; GODSENT confirms EPL choice over FLASHPOINT

“If I had to predict, I would guess some of [the partner teams] would be paying some fines. And they’re going to be paying it to some of their direct rivals."@Thorin never fails to impress, here's his words around the new @Flashpoint league!https://t.co/BH3knjnxV1
— GGRecon (@GGRecon_) February 6, 2020

Elsewhere we learn that non-core orgs were involved pretty late in the process and what the new league's buy-in was.https://t.co/wolFOSw82O
— Larvacannon (@larvacannon) February 6, 2020

Saturday, February 8

Thorin repeatedly criticizes ESL’s World Ranking

ESL's ranking system in action. pic.twitter.com/mH1SO2jryR
— Thorin (@Thorin) February 7, 2020

Sunday, February 9

InvenGlobal publishes interview about FLASHPOINT’s creative direction; EU open qualifier #3 restarted due to “unforeseen circumstances”

[#CSGO] @Thorin opens up about his new role as creative director, and how @FLASHPOINT will do right what other esports tournaments do wrong:

✍️ @Matthieist https://t.co/OrSJUdnv27
— Inven Global (@InvenGlobal) February 9, 2020

Due to unforeseen issues in the FLASHPOINT EU qualifier bracket, EU Qualifier 3 will restart, with this taking place at 5pm CET.

We apologise for the inconvenience and will share the new bracket once live.
— FLASHPOINT (@FLASHPOINT) February 9, 2020

@Faceit_Mikey @FACEIT @YACINELAGHMARI ??? Seems like faceit got some nice admins pic.twitter.com/UDnoUmSrjC
— bbobbek (@Bobeksde) February 9, 2020

Like i like faceit but how its possible to not have technical pause in a officiel qualifier match, we played with a bot 7 rounds wp no flashpoint for us.
— MAJ3R (@Maj3r_) February 10, 2020

Monday, February 10

The Esports Observer publishes interview with FLASHPOINT ownership members

"Let’s let @MonteCristo and @Thorin be who they are and let their personalities shine."@FLASHPOINT team ownership spoke to @Kevin_Hitt about building an entertainment product that draws inspiration from @WWE and @ufc:https://t.co/56lso37zrm pic.twitter.com/27gPpbEBGU
— The Esports Observer (@esportsobserved) February 10, 2020

Tuesday, February 11

Esportz Network publishes interview with Gen.G co-founder and Dan Fiden of Cloud9; MAJ3R complains about qualifier rules as FACEIT issues statement

As promised, talking @FLASHPOINT with @Cloud9 President @dfiden and @GenG Co-Founder Kent Wakeford.

- Giving creative control to @Thorin, @MonteCristo and talent team
- Betting on the league
- Unique revenue sharing model
- Plenty of banter to go aroundhttps://t.co/PhNaQ99ltT
— Mitch Reames (@Mitch_Reames) February 11, 2020

Like to be honest, i called an admin in my match vs vexed where we played at least 7 rounds with a bot, he tell me there is not techical pause at all. But your statement say that admin was allowed to do it. Well its obviously to late but try to be more clear for the futur. Sad..
— MAJ3R (@Maj3r_) February 11, 2020

Monday, February 16

Continued overlaps between FLASHPOINT qualifiers and Minor qualifiers are discussed on Twitter

We are checking to see if the SA qualifiers for the Americas Minor can be moved to a different date. Assuming all qualified teams are fine with the alternative dates this should be possible. https://t.co/5HxpoM6X1G
— Ulrich Schulze (@theflyingdj) February 17, 2020

Tuesday, February 17

Thorin calls out Astralis on Twitter; Nikolaj Nyholm weighs in

.@Thorin discusses his criticism of ESL, the struggle to get the best teams in @FLASHPOINT, and the possibility of the company running its own Major in the future.https://t.co/kspb0NJ1iJ pic.twitter.com/r3d3qUBzHk
— HLTV.org (@HLTVorg) February 17, 2020

I can live with @Thorin's whining, but his lying crosses just one line too many.

For the record: (bare w my tweetstorm) https://t.co/LtgvHjYWXj
— Nikolaj Nyholm (@nikolaj) February 17, 2020

And today the CS:GO subreddit has decided that Nikolaj Nyholm, one of the most prolific liars to grace our scene, is actually a pretty trustworthy guy. Idiocracy was too generous a view of the future.
— Richard Lewis (@RLewisReports) February 18, 2020

Never forget that in an alternate and terminally dark timeline Nikolaj Nyholm persuaded Fallen to help found a Nyholm funded player union. That was his first play for scene control before he started owning multiple teams and lying about it. pic.twitter.com/AzZYbvYUvI
— Richard Lewis (@RLewisReports) February 18, 2020

Tuesday, February 18

ESL announces their partner teams for Pro League among the other participants

The NEW truly global #ESLProLeague
is here! Season 11 is going to be
better than ever:

✅ FULLY STACKED - 24 incredible
teams.
✅ PURE COMPETITION - More
exciting than ever before.
✅ NO MORE EXCUSES - Only the
absolute best can win.https://t.co/1eaUhUn39D pic.twitter.com/jBOXncQmAn
— ESL Counter-Strike (@ESLCS) February 18, 2020

Make @gla1ve_csgo angry.
Lift Trophy.
Repeat.

:> https://t.co/Rj3CPN2Gq9
— mousesports (@mousesports) February 18, 2020

Really would have loved to see the NA teams stay with @FLASHPOINT. Just seems like the league is closer to home and all that. Maybe I am wrong...
— Kevin Hitt (@Kevin_Hitt) February 18, 2020

Yeah this looks awesome, but also holy hell the Faze agent won the fashion-off https://t.co/bioyhICh5i
— Frankie Ward (@getfrank) February 18, 2020

No matter what side you stand on, the current competition between TOs in CS:GO should elevate the scene.

FLASHPOINT and ESL are at war to see which can produce the better product, while BLAST is proving that it’s improved from last year.

CS:GO will only benefit from this shit.
— Adam Fitch (@byadamfitch) February 17, 2020

Tuesday, February 19

ESL’s revenue sharing plans scrutinized

ICYMI from @dekay

ESL Pro League partner teams are locked in for at least three years; WESA to cease involvement with EPL https://t.co/HXvlmQQV1L
— DBLTAP (@DBLTAPesports) February 18, 2020

If someone keeps going on and on about percentages, press them for absolute values.
— Ulrich Schulze (@theflyingdj) February 18, 2020

EPL is a sweet deal for players: 15% of 25% of 85%. That’s 3% across the entire player base. Versus 26% for players in @FLASHPOINT https://t.co/jAgA7zcn5D
— Dan Fiden (@dfiden) February 18, 2020

Players are getting 15% of the teams' revenue share of the entire circuit of 10+ events on top of $5,000,000 in prize money, a $1,000,000 Intel Grand Slam and their regular salaries in a deal negotiated by CSPPA. Your product is a single league. Please find a new narrative. https://t.co/bXvh4FYaHy
— Ulrich Schulze (@theflyingdj) February 19, 2020

Historic! pic.twitter.com/zeIQuuY1XM
— Thorin (@Thorin) February 18, 2020

If ESL's deal has merit then why do they need to lock teams into it for six years?
— Thorin (@Thorin) February 19, 2020

.@ESL partners with @usairforce for @IEM, @anykeyorg, and ESL Pro League

"We are especially excited to work with the U.S. Air Force to fight toxicity in gaming and to drive awareness of diversity and inclusion in esports."https://t.co/1lePTJVT1L pic.twitter.com/61i1FQN2EP
— Esports Insider (@esportsinsider) February 19, 2020

What have learned from all this? First, it feels like DeKay's reporting is everywhere you look, forming significant part of this story with revelations throghout the months. In fact, most of the reporting across the scene was accurate with regards to these competitions. It's also interesting the track the concerted effort by the FLASHPOINT people to score appearances and daily interview releases in the endemic esports media across the last few weeks. No doubt ESL's seismic format change and FLASHPOINT's corresponding qualifier announcement (and its effects on scheduling) have further strained relations between the tournament organizers. And of course, there's Thorin, the mad conductor of straight fire messages, dominating the conversation and single-handedly elevating FLASHPOINT in the wider discussion, aggressively going to bat for the project and arguably risking some of his credibility in the process. No doubt there’s more to come and the war is far from over. The soap opera, however, is already in full swing.